ANZ and Westpac were both more than 2% higher, leading the ASX financials index to a 1.25% gain for the session.

The regional lenders gave back some of yesterdays gains, with Suncorp, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank and Bank of Queensland all finishing lower. Macquarie fell by 1.36%.

Among the big miners, BHP rose by 0.62% while Rio fell slightly. Fortescue dipped by 3.5% in afternoon trade after the announcement this afternoon that the Federal Court had ruled against it in a native title dispute.

The ASX200 energy index rose by 1.4%, led by Santos which surged ahead by 8% after announcing lower debt, improved cost cutting measures and upgrading revenue guidance in its quarterly report today.

5. Bank of Japan holds steady: The Bank of Japan made its monthly interest rate announcement this afternoon, but there were no changes to its current stance of ultra-easy monetary policy.

6. Fishburners CEO quits: The CEO of startup community facilitator Fishburners, Murray Hurps, has quit effective from next Monday. Hurps said that after securing new hubs in Brisbane, Shanghai and Sydney, the time is right to move on.